Bernann McKinney was clearly overjoyed about being reunited with her beloved pit bull terrier Booger last week - or, to be precise, five of him.
Ms McKinney of California had paid USD 50,000 (Dh184,000) to a biotech company in South Korea to create genetic clones of her pet dog from cells taken from Booger before he died, and last week she was presented with five identical puppy versions of him. (British readers will remember Ms McKinney as Joyce McKinney who in the 1970s kidnapped a Mormon missionary in England and later claimed that she was so in love with him that she would "ski naked down Mt Everest with a carnation up my nose if he asked me to".
Scientifically, there's nothing new in all this. The first cloned organism, a tadpole, was created as long ago as 1952, while the famous Dolly the cloned sheep, which was supposed to open the way to cloning from adult cells, was born more than a decade ago. Even pet cloning has been done before, the first- a cat named "CC" - being born in 2001.
The real significance of the Booger story lies in the claim by RNL Bio, the company that created the puppies, that it expects to be able to clone up to 300 dogs next year for anyone willing to pay. And that's just the start, according to chief executive Ra Jeong-Chan, who reportedly has plans to set up an office in Dubai to clone champion camels and horses.
Taken at face value, this suggests cloning really has turned the corner, and is finally about to become commercially viable. After the media hoopla that surrounded the birth of Dolly and other cloned animals, one could be forgiven for being surprised that this hadn't happened years ago. But the hype has obscured the fact that the success rate of the cloning process has been disappointingly - some would say, repulsively - low. Creating Dolly required more than 270 sheep eggs, which created just 29 embryos, and of those implanted into sheep, 95 per cent ended in miscarriages, with only Dolly surviving to adulthood.
Scientists have been searching for more effective ways of creating clones ever since, with research teams in South Korea and Japan claiming to have made important progress. Judging by the confident forecasts of RNL Bio, such research is now starting to pay off.
So are we about to see the emergence of whole stables of identical racehorses and camels, each carrying the genes of champions? Quite possibly, but anyone thinking of spending a fortune on creating their own stable of unbeatable clones is likely to be bitterly disappointed by the end-results. For despite the oft-repeated claims about the crucial importance of genes "for" various traits, their role is far from decisive.
Arguments over the relative importance of genes and environment - the "nature versus nurture" debate - go back long before anyone even knew what genes were. Most have focused on the role of genes in determining human traits. As long ago as 1690, the English philosopher John Locke claimed human behaviour is entirely the product of experience, each of us entering the world as blank slates. But by the start of the 20th century, the debate had lurched over to the other extreme, and a widespread conviction that many traits were largely if not wholly inherited. The claim was backed by studies of identical twins separated at birth, whose similar traits despite different upbringing was put down to the fact that they have identical genetic blueprints.
Yet for all its apparent scientific rigour, this fails to explain the experience of many parents of identical twins, whose offspring turn out radically different despite having both the same genes and a similar upbringing. This suggests that the nature-nurture split is a false dichotomy, with genes, environment and other factors interacting in complex ways.
After dismissing such evidence as hopelessly anecdotal, scientists have largely caught up with this folk wisdom. Studies of identical twins show that genes are responsible for around 50 per cent of the variation in personalities between individuals.
Simple arithmetic then implies that a hefty 50 per cent must be put down to environmental factors, of which the most obvious is home background and parental influence. Yet ground-breaking research published in 1995 by the American psychologist Judith Rich Harris showed that parents have virtually no impact on how their children turn out. Studies of children raised in the same family reveal that parental influence accounts for no more than five per cent of the variation in traits between children.
Exactly what accounts for the remaining 45 per cent is something of a mystery. One possibility is the influence of a child's peer group, or what Harris called "group socialisation". This could explain how children from the same two parents and raised in the same family often turn out so differently. Such children may well have different experiences and peer groups outside the home.
The implications of all this are clear. When it comes to gauging the likely future performance of anything from humans to horses, genes often count no more than environmental factors. A genetic clone of a champion horse could thus turn out to be no more than a lazy lookalike. Worse still, precisely what environmental factors lead to success are far from clear - and may never be fully understood.
The idea of cloning has long seemed like science fiction. Researchers may have turned the technique into science fact, but most of the claims made for it remain the purest fiction.
Robert Matthews is Visiting Reader in Science at Aston University, Birmingham, England
@Email:www.robertmatthews.org
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
No_One Ever Really Dies
N*E*R*D
(I Am Other/Columbia)
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL CARD
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections
6.30pm: Gifts Of Gold
7.05pm Final Song
7.40pm Equilateral
8.15pm Dark Of Night
8.50pm Mythical Magic
9.25pm Franz Kafka
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Indika
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
UAE%20SQUAD
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
The%20specs
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
